OSINT SUMMARY
Administration of South-West State and the National Cohesion Force Committee held a consultative meeting on 12th October 2015 in Baidoa and resolved to intensify security operations in the region.
The meeting was discussed on wide range of issues among them notably, security and elimination of Al Shabaab terrorists.
While speaking at the meeting, South-West Minister for Security, Abdifatah Gesey retaliated on the need to beef up security in South-West State citing Al Shabaab terrorist group is a major threat that has to be eliminated.
The Minister lauded AMISOM effort which has significantly weakened the power of the militants. South-West State vowed to launch massive security crackdown against the perceived Al Shabaab hideouts in the region’s state.
African Union Mission in Somalia peacekeeping troops have been committed in war against Al Shabaab and renewed their pledge to join hands with South-West State forces and match-on ready to wipe and flush-out Al Shabaab controlled areas in the region.
The Al Qaeda affiliated Al Shabaab still controls several small towns in South-West State despite heavy operations jointly launched by government and their presence continues to hurt residents who have complained of being forced to pay levies for Shebaab upkeep.
